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Join our school principals TODAY to rally for equal funding for all schools

May 25, 2016

Dear Neighbor,

Chicago Public School principals are receiving preliminary budgets that reflect massive spending cuts for the coming school that will have a major harmful impact on classrooms. Some principals have been told to expect upwards of a 40% reduction in the base amount schools get for each enrolled student.

In response, the principals in our area are organizing a rally and march to inform parents about the proposed budget cuts and call upon the Governor and our legislators in Springfield to overhaul the State’s school funding formula and provide equal funding for all Illinois schools.

The rally will take place TODAY (Wednesday, May 25th), 4:00 p.m., at the New Field Elementary School cafeteria, 1707 W. Morse (at Clark). Among those scheduled to attend are principals from Armstrong Elementary, Field Elementary, Gale Academy, Jordan Elementary, Kilmer Elementary, and Sullivan High School.

Chicagoans contribute 20 percent of the state income tax, and CPS students make up 20 percent of the state’s enrollment—but CPS students only receive 15 percent of the state’s funding. The missing 5% is almost $500 million this year alone—enough to save teachers and class sizes.

The future out our children is threatened by Governor Rauner’s education plan, which includes $74 million in more cuts to CPS. Because of the state’s discriminatory funding system, CPS will have to keep cutting its budget. That means fewer teachers and resources for our children.

Discriminating against Chicago’s children and teachers is wrong. Make sure our Governor and representatives in Springfield know that you won’t stand for more cuts to our classrooms. Our students need your voice: take action now.

CLICK HERE to send a message to our legislators and tell them no more cuts to our schools!

In the meantime, I urge you to support our principals and schools by joining me at today’s rally!